Throwback Thursday: Bethany Hamilton Wins Pipeline Women's Pro

In October 2003, when Bethany Hamilton was 13, she went for a morning surf in Kauai. A 14-foot tiger shark attacked her, severing her left arm below the shoulder. She lost over 60 percent of her blood. But just three weeks after the attack, Bethany got back in the water. “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid,” she said. “Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” By January 2004, Bethany entered a major surf competition.

In March this year, Bethany surfed in the Surf n Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro in Hawaii and took first place. Watch her ride the waves in the heat highlight reel below, then hear her story in her words with MAKERS.